Container pedestal and holddown latch

ABSTRACT

A latching arrangement is provided having a latch which comprises a latch portion having a latch nose mounted on a radius about a generally vertical pivot axis. A generally constant force resilient device urges a base portion of the latch into the inward or engaged position with a container. Since the moment arm of the latch portion about the generally vertical axis is generally constant, the respective entry and exit forces for engaging and removing containers from the latching arrangement are generally constant, and can be varied by altering the entry and exit incline of the nose portion.

United States Patent [191 Girard Oct. 7, 1975 CONTAINER PEDESTAL ANDI-IOLDDOWN LATCH [75] lnventor: Robert R. Girard, St. Charles, Mo.

[73] Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 466,004

[52] U.S. Cl 105/366 C; 105/366 D; 105/464;

248/119 R [51] Int. Cl. B65J 1/22; B61D 45/00 [58] Field of Search105/366, 368 R, 368 T,

105/369 A; 280/179, 179.1; 296/282, 35.1; 248/119 R, 361 A; 292/74, 76

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,565,013 2/1971 Terlecky105/366 D 3,815,516 6/1974 Girard 105/366 D Primary Examiner-M. HensonWood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Gene A. Church Attorney, Agent, orFirml-Ienry W. Cummings [57] ABSTRACT A latching arrangement is providedhaving a latch which comprises a latch portion having a latch nosemounted on a radius about a generally vertical pivot axis. A generallyconstant force resilient device urges a base portion of the latch intothe inward or engaged position with a container. Since the moment arm ofthe latch portion about the generally vertical axis is generallyconstant, the respective entry and exit forces for engaging and removingcontainers from the latching arrangement are generally constant, and canbe varied by altering the entry and exit incline of the nose portion.

50 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of 5 3,910,200

US. Patent US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 3 of5 3,910,200

l llll FIG. 5

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 4 of5 Shet 5 of 5 Oct. 7,1975

US. Patent CONTAINER PEDESTAL AND HOLDDOWN LATCH BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Container pedestals for railway flat cars care disclosed andclaimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,013 and in application Ser. No. 257,981filed May 30, 1972, assigned to the same assigne as the presentapplication. This patent and application are directed to the concept ofthe pedestals being movable longitudinally along the car deck toopenings wherein the pedestals are folded downwardly into the openingsand become part of the surface of the car deck so that highway trailersmay be driven thereon and transported on the flat cars held in place byappropriate hitches. Such flat cars are known TOFC-COFC cars.

In this patent and application the container latch is pivotally mountedupon the lower portion or plate of the pedestal and swings back andforth within a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the car. Inthe engaged position the latch fits within an opening in the containerand holds the container upon the pedestals.

Other similar arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,630,155;3,667,401; 3,719,794; and 3,774,551.

However, in these arrangements the latch only moves back and forthwithin this plane. There is some play for longitudinal movement but thisis limited. Particularly when containers approach the latch mechanism byvirtue of longitudinal movement there is danger that the container mayharm the latch mechanism.

Also, tolerance variation in the pedestal construction and containerconstruction can result in varying entry and exit forces for thecontainers. For example, when the latch pivots about point 58 in priorart FIG. 1B herein, the entry and exit forces vary depending upon hownear wall 52 containers C engage the latch in entering and leaving thepedestal. The horizontal distance fr m wall 52 which the containers acton nose 70 is the approximate movement arm which applies the forcesabout pivot point 58. Thus greater or lesser forces are applied to pivotpoint 58, depending on how near wall 52 the containers engagerespectively entry and exist contours 72 and 74.

Thus the entry and exit forces used in this arrange ment cannot be fixedbecause the operator cannot consistently hit the same point on entrycontour 72, or control where in applying the vertical exit load how farfrom wall 52 the container will engage contour 74.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide acontainer latch mechanism which will avoid damage to latch mechanism nomatter from what direc tion the containers approach the latch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a latchingmechanism which reduces the variation in entry and exit forces which isinherent in the prior art arrangement.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description anddrawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of one type of flat car in which thepresent invention may be utilized;

FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of a prior art container pedestallatch mechanism;

FIG. 1B is an end elevational view of a prior art container pedestallatch mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flat car with the container pedestals inplace illustrating how four such pedestals are mounted to hold acontainer in place;

FIG. 3 is a plan detailed view of one of the container pedestalsutilizing the latching mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the view shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view along the lines 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the latch alone;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the latch;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the latch illustrating the angles aand ,8 referred to hereinafter;

FIG. 8A is a view along the lines 8A-8A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a tension spring arrangement which may beutilized in the latching arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a compression spring arrangement which maybeutilized in the latching arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a torsional shear type spring which may beutilized in the latching arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a view along the: lines 11A-I 1A in FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alternative torsional shear arrangementwhich may be utilized in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12A-is a view along the lines 12A-12A in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a coil spring arrangement which may beutilized in the latching arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a view along the lines I3-I3A in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of tension spring arrangement with the springwrapped around the cylinder to save space and allow greater springlength.

FIG. 14A is a view along the lines 14A14A in FIG. 14.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A latching arrangement is provided having alatch which comprises a latch portion having a latch nose mounted on aradius about a generally vertical pivot axis. A generally constant forceresilient device urges a base portion of the latch into the inward orengaged position with a container. When engaged by the containers thelatch rotates about the generally vertical axis until the latch noseengages engagement means in the containers at which time the latch noseunder the bias of the constant force resilient device enters theengagement means in the containers and holds the containers in placeuntil a predetermined force is applied to remove the containers from thelatching arrangement. The latching arrangement may be a part of acontainer pedestal. Since the moment arm of the latch portion about thegenerally vertical axis is generally constant, the respective entry andexit forces for engaging and removing containers from the latchingarrangement are generally constant, and can'be varied by altering theentry and exit incline of the nose portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Corresponding reference charactersindicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of this inventionand more particularly to FIG. 1, a railway flat car is generallyindicated and has a generally flat deck 12. An end guideway sectiongenerally indicated 14 is positioned between a bolster structure 16 andthe adjacent end of the railway car. An intermediate guideway sectiongenerally indicated 18 is positioned between the bolster structures 16.Guideway sections 14, 18 are formed by spaced Z-members 20, 22 having aslot 24 therebetween as shown in FIG. 1B. Mounted in slots 24 forsliding movement therealong are container supports generally indicated26. Supports 26 may be releasably positioned at various positions alongthe length of guideway sections 14, 18 to adapt flat car 10 for carryinga plurality of containers of various lengths such 10 feet, feet, 24feet, feet, and feet. It is to be understood that only one-half thelength of flat car 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the remaining length ofthe flat car being similar to that shown in FIG. 1.

As shown particularly in FIG. 1A, deck 12 has cutout portions 28adjacent the ends of guideway sections 14, 18 and supports 26 areadapted to be folded to retracted positions within cutout portions 28 toform closures for the cutout portions whereby highway tractors may bedriven over deck 12 when flat car 10 is employed for the transport oftrailers. Each container C has a lower corner fitting or cap 30 at eachlower corner thereof. Each corner fitting 30 is generally rectangular intransverse and longitudinal cross sections and comprises a bottom wall32, an upper wall 34, outer and inner side walls 36, 38 and end walls40. Outer side wall 36 has an elongate opening 42 therein as shownparticularly in FIG. 1B. An edge 44 preferably arcuate defines the lowerportion of elongate opening 42 and an edge 46 preferably arcuate definesthe upper portion of opening 42. For example, arcuate edges 44 and 46are struck from a 1 inch radius.

Container support 26 comprises a lower base 48 adapted to rest on theupper surface of deck 12. Vertical wall 68 supports an upper base orseat 50 which supports the lower corner of a container C. A pair ofconnected vertical walls 52, 54 extend upwardly from seat 50. Side wall52 and end wall 54 are arranged in a right angular relation to eachother and restrain the container against horizontal movement. Forfurther details of container support 26, reference is made to U.S. Pat.No. 3,391,654, dated July 9, 1969, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by this reference.

The prior art means to restrain the container against an upward verticalmovement or lifting below a prede termined lifting force is actuatedwithout any manual actuation being required and comprises a lock lever56 mounted adjacent its lower end on pin 58 which forms a fixedhorizontal axis. Pin 58 is carried by extensions 60 secured to base 48and forms a fixed horizontal axis for lever 56. Lever 56 may pivot backand forth on pin 58 in a vertical plane and is biased by spring 62 intoa positon to engage containers C.

It will be apparent that lock lever 56 pivots about a pin 58 within aplane which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the car as do thelocking levers and locking arms in the said U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,630,155;3,667,401; 3,719,794 and 3,774,551. These arrangements are believed tobe representative of the current prior art latching arrangements whichare in use. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A there is some space 58abetween locking lever 56 and extension 60 which allows a small amount oflongitudinal movement of locking lever 56. However, there still is aproblem with this arrangement when containers are moved into thepedestal area longitudinally left to right in FIG. 1A. It will beapparent that the latch mechanism can be damaged by container movementin this direction.

Also tolerance variation in the pedestal construction and containerconstruction can result in varying entry and exit forces for thecontainers. For example, when the latch pivots about point 58 in priorart FIG. 1B herein, the entry and exit forces vary depending upon hownear wall 52 containers C engage the latch in entering and leaving thepedestal. The horizontal distance from wall 52 which the containers acton nose is the approximate movement arm which applies the forces aboutpivot point 58. Thus greater or lesser forces are applied to pivot point58, depending on how near wall 52 the containers engage respectivelyentry and exist contours 72 and 74.

Thus the entry and exit forces used in this arrangement cannot be fixedbecause the operator cannot consistently hit the same point on entrycontour 72, or control where in applying the vertical exit load how farfrom wall 52 the container will engage contour 74.

In accordance with the present invention a latching arrangementindicated generally at in the drawings is provided. The latchingarrangement includes a latch member indicated generally at 102comprising a base portion 104 and a latch portion 106. Base portion 104is preferably cylindrical and is also preferably hollow having anopening 113 to save weight as shown in FIG. 7. Base portion 104comprises a foot portion which preferably is of larger diameter thanbody portion 112. An upper base portion 114, preferably is also oflarger diameter than body portion 112 and more preferably is of aboutthe same diameter as foot portion 110.

Latch portion 106 comprises a generally vertically extending portion 122and a curved horizontal portion 123 which maintains a generally constantradius R about the axis A. Horizontal portion 123 further comprises anose portion 124. Nose portion 124 comprises a contour 126 including agenerally downwardly extending inclined surface 128 and a generallyupwardly extending inclined surface plane 130. If desired, inclinedsurfaces 128 and/or 130 may be made arcuate as shown in FIG. 8A. Surface128 defines an angle B with the horizontal and upwardly extendingsurface 130 defines an angle a with a horizontal as illustrated in FIG.8. As described in greater detail hereinafter the inclines of planes 128and 130 and the resulting angles 0: and [3 control the inlet and exitforces for containers to be held in place with latching portion 106.

If desired, latch portion 106 may be a casting or a forging.Alternatively, the latch portion may be fabricated.

Latch portion 106 is made integral with base portion 104. This can bedone by welding as indicated at or with mechanical fasteners.Alternatively, base portion 104 and latch portion 106 may be part of anintegral casting or forging.

Latch member 102 may be mounted directly on the deck of a railway flatcar. However, in view of the common use of container pedestals both oncontainer flat cars and on TOFC-COFC cars, it is preferred to mountlatch member 102 in a container pedestal similar to those shown in FIGS.1, 1A and 1B and described in said US. Pat. No. 3,391,654.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show locking member 102 mounted in such a containerpedestal 132. Container pedestal 132 is provided with means 133 forholding a locking member 102 in place. This may comprise, for example,at least one retaining ring 134. Retaining ring 134 may be held in placewith appropriate fasteners or by welding 136. Furthermore, an upperretaining ring 138 may be provided, preferably mounted upon horizontalseat 140 of pedestal 132. Upper retaining ring 138 again may be held inplace by appropriate fasteners or welding 142.

A constant contact resilient device indicated generally at 150 isprovided to engage locking member 102. This resilient device may be anysuitable constant contact resilient device.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 this resilient device comprisesa constant contact flat coil spring 152. Resilient retaining means 151are provided for mounting engagement of resilient device 150 with baseportion 104. For example, spring 152 may be held in engagement with baseportion 104 of locking lever 102 by means of appropriate fasteners, forexample, rivets 154. Fasteners 154 may extend all the way through bodyportion 112 as shown in FIG. 5, or they may be foreshortened and extendonly into the center of hollow portion 113 as shown in FIG. 4 at 155.

Spring 152 comprises a latch engagement portion 156 and a coil portion158. Coil portion 158 is preferably spaced from engagement portion 156on the other side of web 160 as shown in FIG. 5. An opening 162 isprovided in web 160 to allow a spring connector portion 164 to passtherethrough joining coil portion 158 with latch engagement portion 156.

In operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 in the event thata container C having an opening therein 166 vertical descends to engagelatch portion 106, it will be apparent that incline 128 will providethat the component of the vertical force will act transversely to urgelocking member 106 to rotate about axis A in FIG. 4. When the containerhas sufficiently descended the nose 126 will enter opening 166 and holdthe container in place. In the event that the container approachestransversely as illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be apparent that nose 126will be urged to pivot about the axis A. At least some vertical descentwill be required for the latch to engage opening 166 but this can easilybe carried out by the operator.

Furthermore, if the container approaches from left to right as shown inFIG. 3, it will be apparent that the curved portion 123 of latch portion106 together with nose portion 126 will cause the container to pivotlocking lever 102 about axis A. If at least some vertical descent isprovided to the container, the nose 126 will move into the opening 166and hold the container in the locked position. This represents asignificant improvement over the prior art locking lever which pivotedonly transversely with respect to longitudinal axis of the car. Thus nomatter from what direction the container approaches the latch, the latchwill act to cause engagement of the container and the latch.

Inclined surface 130 provides that the containers may be moved from thelatch by applying an appropriate upward force on the latch mechanism.The angle alpha or in FIG. 8 corresponds to the inclination of thesurface 128 and is related to the entry force required for the latch toengage opening 166. The angle beta B is related to the inclined surface130 and is related to the force required to rotate locking lever aboutthe axis A and permit the containers to exit. The vertical forcenecessary to remove the container due to inclined surface 130 has acomponent which acts to pivot latch 102 about axis A and thus remove thecontainers.

It will be apparent that with the generally constant radius R about theaxis A, that generally the same entry force will be required. The momentarm is generally constant about the axis A, in contrast to the prior artvarying moment arms discussed above in regard to FIG. 1B. Regardless ofwhere the container contacts surface 128 generally the same horizontalcomponent will be required to overcome the bias of spring 152. Finally,regardless of where the container contacts surface 130, generally thesame exit force will be required to overcome the bias of spring 152.

It is then apparent that the generally constant entry and exit forceswhich are obtained from the latching arrangement of the presentinvention is a significant improvement over the varying entry and exitforces required to operate the prior art latching arrangements.

Furthwermore, the entry and exit forces can be varied by changing theincline of surfaces 128 and/or 130, i.e., change the ratio of B to a.This may be done by providing a new latch portion 106, or by remachiningof previously produced latch portions to obtain the desired incline ofentry and/or exit contours 128 and/or 130.

It has been found from experience that it is preferred that the entryforce not exceed about 800 pounds. Preferably the entry force is atleast 400 pounds so that the effect of friction is negligible in theoperation of the latch. It has been found that the exit force should notexceed about 2200 pounds because of unduly straining the liftingequipment. Preferably the lifting force is at least 1600 pounds so thatthe containers will not dislodge under transit forces such as couplingimpacts. It therefore is apparent that the ratio of beta B to alpha ashould generally be within the range of 2 to 1 to about 5.5 to l.

It was mentioned above that any suitable constant force resilient devicemay be utilized to bias locking lever 106 into the locked or inwardposition. Flat coil spring 152 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 is one suchsuitable resilient device.

Another suitable resilient device is illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein atension spring indicated generally at 170 is affixed to a verticalbracket on the deck or to pedestal web portion 160, for example, byproviding an appropriate opening therein 174 and a head 176 on the endof the spring. Spring 170 further comprises tension coils 177 and agenerally transverse extension 178 similar to extension 164 illustratedin FIG. 3. Extension 178 is integrally affixed to base portion 104 oflatch 106 with mechanical fasteners or welding. The operation of latch102 biased with tension spring 170 is the same as described in regard toFIGS. 3 and 5.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10wherein a compression spring indicated generally at 180 is utilized. Inthis embodiment the compression spring 180 is again integrally affixedto a bracket 181 on the web portion 160. However, it is preferred thatthe compression spring be placed outwardly as compared to the embodimentin FIG. 9. Compression coils 182 are provided and the spring 180 isintegrally affixed to an extension 184 which, in turn,

is integrally affixed to base portion 104 of latch 102. The operation isthe same as described in regard to FIGS. 3 and 9.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11and 11A wherein a torsional rubber shear spring indicated generally at190 is integrally bonded to base portion 104 of locking lever 102 and tofixed center column member 192 which may be affixed to the deck and ahorizontal bracket or to pedestal 132 by welding 194.

It will be apparent that the container will cause the locking lever topivot about the axis AA in engaging the containers as described in FIGS.3 and 5.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12and 12A. In this embodiment a resilient device 200 is integrally bondedto base portion 104 of latch member 102 and to fixed outer column member196 and affixed to the deck or with the pedestal 132 by welding 198. Itwill be apparent that this embodiment is generally reverse of theprevious embodiment. Containers cause the latch portion to pivot aboutthe axis A described in regard to FIGS. 3 and 5. Resilient material 200is thus placed in torsional shear in this embodiment.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 13A,wherein a coil spring indicated generally at 210 has one end 212 mountedin the deck or in pedestal 132 and a second end 214 affixed to baseportion 104 as shown at 216. It will be apparent that container C willcause latch 102 to pivot about axis AA as described above.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A,wherein a wrap around spring indicated generally at 220 has one end 222affixed to wall 160 of pedestal 132 and a second end 224 affixed to baseportion 104. Again it will be apparent that container C will cause latch102 to pivot about axis AA described above.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a wide variety of resilientdevices may be utilized which apply a constant force to latch member102. The particular resilient devices shown are by way of example onlyand it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a wide varietyof different resilient devices and assemblies could be utilized toeffectively cooperate with latch member 102 and cause the same to rotateabout an axis when engaged by containers.

What is claimed is:

l. A container latch assembly comprising: a container latch comprising abase portion and a latch portion integral therewith; at least oneresilient device having means engaging said base portion; said latch portion adapted to be engaged by containers which cause said latch torotate about a generally vertical axis until said latch has rotatedsufficiently for said latch portion to align with engaging means in saidcontainers whereby said resilient device will urge said latch portion toengage the engaging means in said containers and hold the same inengagement with said latch.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient devicecomprises a coil spring.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient devicecomprises a tension spring.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient devicecomprises a compression spring.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient devicecomprises a torsional shear spring.

6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said base portion comprisesa generally tubular portion.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said tubular portion ishollow.

8. A container latch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said latchportion is provided with a nose having an entry contour to facilitateengagement of said containers with said latch portion and an exitcontour adapted to permit said containers to be removed from said latchwhen a predetermined force is applied to said container.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said base portion and saidlatch portion are all one piece of material.

10. An assembly according to claim 1 including retaining means to mountthe assembly upon a railway flat car.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said retaining meanscomprise at least one retaining member to maintain engagement with saidbase portion.

12. A container latch assembly according to claim 1 1 wherein saidretaining means includes brackets adapted to mount said container latchassembly on the deck of a railway flat car.

13. A container latch assembly according to claim 1 1 wherein saidretaining means is mounted upon a container pedestal.

14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said base portion and saidlatch portion are separate pieces and wherein the same are held togetherby welding.

15. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said base portion and saidlatch portion are separate pieces and wherein the same are held togetherwith mechanical fasteners.

16. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein at least one of saidretaining means is mounted upon a generally horizontally extendingsurface in said container pedestal.

17. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein a second retaining meansis provided to maintain engagement with said locking lever.

18. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein a second retaining meansis provided to maintain engagement with said locking lever includingpedestal.

19. An assembly according to claim 18 wherein said second retainingmeans is also mounted upon a generally horizontal surface of saidcontainer pedestal.

20. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said entry contour makes anangle alpha a with the horizontal and wherein said exit contour makes anangle beta B with the horizontal and wherein the ratio of beta to alphais from about 2 to 1 to about 5 /2 to 1.

21. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein resilient retaining meansare provided to maintain engagement of said resilient device with saidbase portion.

22. An assembly according to claim 21 wherein said resilient retainingmeans comprise mechanical fasteners.

23. An assembly according to claim 22 wherein the axis about which saidlatch member pivots is located within said latch assembly.

24. An assembly according to claim 21 wherein said resilient retainingmeans comprise welding.

25. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein when a container engagessaid entry contour the force required for said container to overcome thebias of said resilient device is generally constant.

26. An assembly according to claim 25 wherein the force necessary toremove said containers from said latch assembly is generally constant.

27. A container pedestal comprising:

a lower portion adapted to engage the deck of a railway vehicle;

said pedestal having means thereon adapted to maintain in engagementwith said pedestal a latching assembly;

said latching assembly comprising a latch having a latching portionadapted to engage containers and a base portion adapted to engage atleast one resilient device; said latching portion adapted to be engagedby containers to rotate said latching portion in a generally horizontaldirection about a generally vertical axis;

said resilient device biased to move said latching portion about saidaxis in a horizontal direction generally opposite to the horizontalmovement caused by said containers whereby said latching portion isadapted to engage said containers and hold the same in engagement withsaid latch.

28. A container pedestal according to claim 27 wherein said pedestalcomprises retaining means retaining the latch in engagement with saidpedestal.

29. A pedestal according to claim 28 wherein the retainer meanscomprises at least one retaining ring which engages said base portion.

30. A container pedestal according to claim 29 wherein said retainingring is mounted upon a horizontal surface of said pedestal.

31. A container pedestal according to claim 29 wherein a secondretaining means is provided upon said pedestal to engage said baseportion.

32. A container pedestal according to claim 31 wherein said secondretaining means comprises a retaining ring.

33. A container pedestal according to claim 27 wherein said lockingportion and said base portion are integral.

34. A container pedestal according to claim 33 wherein said portion andsaid latch portion are made integral by welding.

35. A container pedestal according to claim 33 wherein said lockingportion and said base portion are made of the same piece of metal.

36. A container pedestal according to claim 32 wherein said base portionis generally cylindrical.

37. A container pedestal according to claim 27 wherein resilientretaining means are provided in said base portion to hold said spring inengagement with said base portion.

38. A container pedestal according to claim 37 wherein said resilientretaining means comprises mechanical fasteners.

39. A container pedestal according to claim 37 wherein said resilientretaining means comprises welding.

40. A container latch assembly according to claim 27 wherein said latchportion is provided with a nose having an entry contour to facilitateengagement of said containers with said latch portion and an exitcontour adapted to permit said containers to be removed from said latchwhen a predetermined force is applied to said container.

41. An assembly according to claim 40 wherein when a container engagessaid entry contour the force required for said container to overcome thebias of said resilient device is generally constant.

42. An assembly according to claim 41 wherein the force necessary toremove said containers from said latch assembly is generally constant.

43. A container latch assembly comprising:

a container latch comprising a base portion and a latch portion integraltherewithj at least one resilient device having means engaging said basepor tion; said resilient means biasing said latch for generallyhorizontal rotary movement in a first direction about a generallyvertically axis; said latch portion having an entry contour adapted tobe engaged by containers exerting an entry force upon said latch torotate said latch about said generally vertical axis in a directiongenerally opposite to said first direction until said latch has rotatedsufficiently for said latch portion to align with engaging means in saidcontainer whereby said resilient device will urge said latch portion toengage the en-' gaging means in said container and hold said latch inengagement with said latch; said latch having an exit contour adapted todisengage the said container upon the application of a predeterminedexit force to allow removal of said container from said latch, saidentry and exit forces necessary respectively to cause engagement anddisengagement of said latch portion with said container beingsubstantially constant regardless of where said containers contactrespectively said entry contour during engagement and said exit contourduring disen' gagement.

44. A container latch assembly according to claim 43 wherein said latchassembly is mounted in a container pedestal.

45. A container latch assembly according to claim 43 wherein said entrycontour makes an angle a with the horizontal and said exit contour makesan angle ,8 with the horizontal.

46. A container latch assembly according to claim 43 wherein the ratioof B to a is within the range of about 2 to l to about 5.5 to l.

47. A container latch assembly according to claim 46 wherein said entryforce does not exceed about 800 pounds.

48. A container latch assembly according to claim 47 wherein said exitforce does not exceed about 2,200 pounds.

49. A container latch assembly according to claim 48 the exit force isat least about 1,600 pounds.

50. A container latch assembly according to claim 49 wherein said entryforce is at least about 400 pounds.

1. A container latch assembly comprising: A container latch comprising abase portion and a latch portion integral therewith; at least oneresilient device having means engaging said base portion; said latchportion adapted to be engaged by containers which cause said latch torotate about a generally vertical axis until said latch has rotatedsufficiently for said latch portion to align with engaging means in saidcontainers whereby said resilient device will urge said latch portion toengage the engaging means in said containers and hold the same inengagement with said latch.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 whereinsaid resilient device comprises a coil spring.
 3. An assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said resilient device comprises a tension spring. 4.An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said resilient device comprisesa compression spring.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidresilient device comprises a torsional shear spring.
 6. An assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein said base portion comprises a generallytubular portion.
 7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein saidtubular portion is hollow.
 8. A container latch assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said latch portion is provided with a nose having anentry contour to facilitate engagement of said containers with saidlatch portion and an exit contour adapted to permit said containers tobe removed from said latch when a predetermined force is applied to saidcontainer.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said base portionand said latch portion are all one piece of material.
 10. An assemblyaccording to claim 1 including retaining means to mount the assemblyupon a railway flat car.
 11. An assembly according to claim 10 whereinsaid retaining means comprise at least one retaining member to maintainengagement with said base portion.
 12. A container latch assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein said retaining means includes bracketsadapted to mount said container latch assembly on the deck of a railwayflat car.
 13. A container latch assembly according to claim 11 whereinsaid retaining means is mounted upon a container pedestal.
 14. Anassembly according to claim 13 wherein said base portion and said latchportion are separate pieces and wherein the same are held together bywelding.
 15. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said base portionand said latch portion are separate pieces and wherein the same are heldtogether with mechanical fasteners.
 16. An assembly according to claim13 wherein at least one of said retaining means is mounted upon agenerally horizontally extending surface in said container pedestal. 17.An assembly according to claim 12 wherein a second retaining means isprovided to maintain engagement with said locking lever.
 18. An assemblyaccording to claim 13 wherein a second retaining means is provided tomaintain engagement with said locking lever including pedestal.
 19. Anassembly according to claim 18 wherein said second retaining means isalso mounted upon a generally horizontal surface of said containerpedestal.
 20. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said entrycontour makes an angle alpha ( Alpha ) with the horizontal and whereinsaid exit contour makes an angle beta ( Beta ) with the horizontal andwherein the ratio of beta to alpha is from about 2 to 1 to about 5 1/2to
 1. 21. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein resilient retainingmeans are provided to maintain engagement of said resilient device withsaid base portion.
 22. An assembly according to claim 21 wherein saidresilient retaining means comprise mechanical fasteners.
 23. An assemblyaccording to claim 22 wherein the axis about which said latch memberpivots is located within said latch assembly.
 24. An assembly accordingto claim 21 wherein said resilient retaining means comprise welding. 25.An assembly according to claim 8 wherein when a container engages saidentry contour the force required for said container to overcome The biasof said resilient device is generally constant.
 26. An assemblyaccording to claim 25 wherein the force necessary to remove saidcontainers from said latch assembly is generally constant.
 27. Acontainer pedestal comprising: a lower portion adapted to engage thedeck of a railway vehicle; said pedestal having means thereon adapted tomaintain in engagement with said pedestal a latching assembly; saidlatching assembly comprising a latch having a latching portion adaptedto engage containers and a base portion adapted to engage at least oneresilient device; said latching portion adapted to be engaged bycontainers to rotate said latching portion in a generally horizontaldirection about a generally vertical axis; said resilient device biasedto move said latching portion about said axis in a horizontal directiongenerally opposite to the horizontal movement caused by said containerswhereby said latching portion is adapted to engage said containers andhold the same in engagement with said latch.
 28. A container pedestalaccording to claim 27 wherein said pedestal comprises retaining meansretaining the latch in engagement with said pedestal.
 29. A pedestalaccording to claim 28 wherein the retainer means comprises at least oneretaining ring which engages said base portion.
 30. A container pedestalaccording to claim 29 wherein said retaining ring is mounted upon ahorizontal surface of said pedestal.
 31. A container pedestal accordingto claim 29 wherein a second retaining means is provided upon saidpedestal to engage said base portion.
 32. A container pedestal accordingto claim 31 wherein said second retaining means comprises a retainingring.
 33. A container pedestal according to claim 27 wherein saidlocking portion and said base portion are integral.
 34. A containerpedestal according to claim 33 wherein said portion and said latchportion are made integral by welding.
 35. A container pedestal accordingto claim 33 wherein said locking portion and said base portion are madeof the same piece of metal.
 36. A container pedestal according to claim32 wherein said base portion is generally cylindrical.
 37. A containerpedestal according to claim 27 wherein resilient retaining means areprovided in said base portion to hold said spring in engagement withsaid base portion.
 38. A container pedestal according to claim 37wherein said resilient retaining means comprises mechanical fasteners.39. A container pedestal according to claim 37 wherein said resilientretaining means comprises welding.
 40. A container latch assemblyaccording to claim 27 wherein said latch portion is provided with a nosehaving an entry contour to facilitate engagement of said containers withsaid latch portion and an exit contour adapted to permit said containersto be removed from said latch when a predetermined force is applied tosaid container.
 41. An assembly according to claim 40 wherein when acontainer engages said entry contour the force required for saidcontainer to overcome the bias of said resilient device is generallyconstant.
 42. An assembly according to claim 41 wherein the forcenecessary to remove said containers from said latch assembly isgenerally constant.
 43. A container latch assembly comprising: acontainer latch comprising a base portion and a latch portion integraltherewith; at least one resilient device having means engaging said baseportion; said resilient means biasing said latch for generallyhorizontal rotary movement in a first direction about a generallyvertically axis; said latch portion having an entry contour adapted tobe engaged by containers exerting an entry force upon said latch torotate said latch about said generally vertical axis in a directiongenerally opposite to said first direction until said latch has rotatedsufficiently for said latch portion to align with engaging means in saidcontainer whereby said resilient device will urge said latch portIon toengage the engaging means in said container and hold said latch inengagement with said latch; said latch having an exit contour adapted todisengage the said container upon the application of a predeterminedexit force to allow removal of said container from said latch, saidentry and exit forces necessary respectively to cause engagement anddisengagement of said latch portion with said container beingsubstantially constant regardless of where said containers contactrespectively said entry contour during engagement and said exit contourduring disengagement.
 44. A container latch assembly according to claim43 wherein said latch assembly is mounted in a container pedestal.
 45. Acontainer latch assembly according to claim 43 wherein said entrycontour makes an angle Alpha with the horizontal and said exit contourmakes an angle Beta with the horizontal.
 46. A container latch assemblyaccording to claim 43 wherein the ratio of Beta to Alpha is within therange of about 2 to 1 to about 5.5 to
 1. 47. A container latch assemblyaccording to claim 46 wherein said entry force does not exceed about 800pounds.
 48. A container latch assembly according to claim 47 whereinsaid exit force does not exceed about 2,200 pounds.
 49. A containerlatch assembly according to claim 48 the exit force is at least about1,600 pounds.
 50. A container latch assembly according to claim 49wherein said entry force is at least about 400 pounds.